Beautiful Spaces - the Artesian Bar at the Langham Hotel in London

Spotted over at Chinoiserie Chic, this place is now on my list for our next trip to London. If you are going to pay way too much for a cocktail, it might as well be in a place like this:

photos via The Langham Hotel

Loving all the pagoda madness. Look at those chandeliers!! This is a situation where if I was stupidly rich I would probably march some poor interior designer into this place, point to the chandelier and say "That". . . and probably regret it later.

Wishlist - Rosie Huntington-Whitley's Ballet Flats

If you've seen a picture of Rosie lately, she is likely wearing these Chloe ballet flats.

 

photos via Pinterest

 Aren't they cute? Even if I had the budget, they are no longer available. But, Steve Madden has come through for me here:

The Karabana! Find them HERE.

In Fashion - Kate Spade Sample Sale!

They are having an amazing Sample Sale over at Kate Spade. Like 70% off amazing.

And next week is my birthday - how did they know?! Head over to the sale HERE.

In Fashion - Chaiken & Capone for Fall

I'm not ready for Autumn. Mostly because Summer never came. Seriously, where the heck is Summer? But, when I am ready, I will be inspired by this:

Blacks and greys and sort of comfy looking don't you think. I like comfy. Now, seriously, where is Summer?

Beautiful Spaces - Spanish Cottage

By Ursula Brooks and Kathryn M. Ireland in House Beautiful.

all photos via House Beautiful

I love the giant open folding window above the kitchen sink. I think it would feel really good to work in a kitchen like that. I also like the cozy scale of this place. Oh- and the french doors off the master bedroom. Yeah, pretty much all of it.

Wishlist - Wrapped Leather Watch

As long as we are piling on all the bracelets and watches:

photo via Crush Cul de Sac

photo from Pinterest

photo via thelondoner

 

I'm enjoying these wrapped leather bracelet watches from La Mer Collections:

They are reasonably priced around $100. So, one in every color? Find them HERE.

Art - London Print from Matte Stephens

I found this over at Poppytalk. First, can we talk about how cool it is that he spells his name with an "e" on the back? Second, I love his stuff and have never bought anything because people who bounce around the globe need to travel lightly. But, this London print is definitely on the "artwork I need if we ever settle down and stop moving" list. Find more of Matte's work HERE.

artwork image by Matte Stephens

Beautiful Spaces - A Swedish Castle

Look what I came across while house hunting! I don't know how this happened since '17th century Swedish castle in the "available upon request" price range' was not part of my search criteria, but somehow, I found it. Actually, I like to believe, it found me. Isn't it just about the loveliest pink and green baroque abode ever?

More pictures of this, and other homes that far exceed my search criteria can be found HERE.

In Fashion - J.Crew Fall Lookbook

Obsessions - Leopard

In South Africa, we were fortunate enough to live just a few hours from Kruger National Park. It is truly one of the most incredible places on earth. I have spent majestic moments observing lions, zebras, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, hippos, even crocodiles - every wild animal Africa has to offer. All but the leopard. The elusive leopard. My husband, daughter and I spent an entire day obsessed with spotting a leopard because it was the only animal we had yet to see. All three of us are a "bit" competitive and this became quite a game. Basically, we were not leaving Kruger until we saw a leopard. We were literally zooming past prides of lions, herds of elephants - all of that had become passe - in the quest for the leopard. Rumor had it that they liked to lounge in trees, so we were especially focused on the distant tree limbs. It was madness. My neck and eyes began to ache. There were so many false sighting, my husband began to ignore me. It was not much fun really. And, we never found a leopard. And, now we live in England. Where they don't have leopards running around in the wild, just down the road from your house. Not that I'm aware of anyway. The world of design is also currently obsessed with leopard. It's a classic really, but it's popularity seems to come and go. Here are some leopard looks I love:

Would you wear it as a dress? This is very pretty, but too much leopard for me.

from Emerson Made

I love everything Emerson does, but this is especially cool with the pretty flower.

clutch from M. Andonia

This is so very now - leopard + clutch = THE trend of the moment.

Stairs (yes!) from Style at Home

from Pinterest

Love the leopard belt. It looks great with a pattern too. This is good.

Sandals from Sterling Style

Leopard shoes perhaps? I would wear the ones below, but not the ones above. And I love, love, love it paired with polka dot dress!

Pumps from the Sartorialist

He wears it well, don't you think?

the REAL DEAL in Africa

I think the key with leopard is to keep it minimal. It can go tacky very easily. A little leopard goes a long way. So pair the shoes, the belt, the clutch, (the stairs!), with some classic, conservative pieces and you can't go wrong. How do you wear your leopard?

Wishlist - 2 Wheeled Transportation Device

This outfit is super cute, but what I'm really after is that moped thing? What is that? It looks vintage. I want it.

photo via Tomboy Style

Seriously, I have been wanting a scooter, or something like it for a really long time. NOW, I want a vintage scooter. I think this purchase just got a little more expensive.

Beautiful Spaces - Colorful Bathroom

via MiCasa

I love this super organized and vibrant space. God willing I ever have a bathroom this large in my life, this is great inspiration. It even has a balcony!

Art - Karen Appleton

Sometimes the best present is a painting of a present.

  I have so much love for these oil painting by Karen Appleton I don't even know what to do.

Karen's blog, makes me love her and her artwork even more (if that is possible). As if creating these amazing paintings isn't enough, she is generous enough, on her blog, to share her creative process. I love when people do that!! It's as if they understand my need to know the "story behind the story" which is a really big need I have, by the way. It is really cool to see how much work goes into creating paintings like these. Oh, I just love everything about what is going on here. So inspired. Now, I just have to figure out how to own one of these. If we are settled by then, maybe this could be my combined Christmas/House Warming present. That last sentence/hint was aimed directly at my husband, who claims to read this thing. So, what do you think husband? Any chance of getting my hands on one of these babies? Comment below. Or, we can talk at dinner.